“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Fans recently noticed that Zheng Qinwen unfollowed her coach Pere Riba on Instagram and added a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche to her bio: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” The subtle social media shift quickly fueled speculation that another coaching change may be imminent.

In professional tennis, unfollowing a coach often precedes official announcements. Legends like Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, and Iga Świątek have all made similar moves before parting ways with their teams.

A Rollercoaster Partnership

• First Collaboration (2021)
  Zheng partnered with Riba in Spain, skyrocketing from world No.169 to the Top 30.
• Split in 2023
  Following inconsistent clay results, they separated. A brief stint with coach Wim Fissette produced limited success.
• Reunion (Late 2023)
  The reunion sparked Zheng’s career peak:
• • Australian Open runner-up
  • Paris Olympic gold medal
  • WTA Finals runner-up
  • Career-high ranking of No.5
• Late 2024 Setback
  Riba underwent hip surgery, stepping away temporarily. Substitute coaches Dante Bottini and Albert Costa delivered mixed outcomes.
• Third Chapter (Feb 2025–Present)
  Stability remains under scrutiny.

Interestingly, upon Riba’s 2025 return, Zheng remarked: “If results depend on whether the coach is present, then I’m not good enough.” The statement underscored her belief in self-agency.

During the Doha tournament, Riba’s absence from her player box and the presence of former Spanish player Jordi Arrese added further intrigue.

Whether this signals another split or simply strategic adjustment, one thing is certain: Zheng stands at a pivotal stage in her career, where stability and evolution must go hand in hand.